Consultant - Senior Gender and Illegal Wildlife Trade Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which was established in 199

• The UNODC is dedicated to combating illicit drugs and international crime, and it operates in over 150 countries worldwide. The organization aims to promote justice and the rule of law, enhance the capacity of member states to address drug-related issues, and support the implementation of international drug control treaties. With a workforce of thousands of employees, UNODC engages in various initiatives to address pressing global challenges, including wildlife crime, human trafficking, and corruption.

Job Overview:
The position of Consultant - Senior Gender and Illegal Wildlife Trade Specialist is focused on enhancing the understanding of wildlife trafficking trends, particularly the gender dynamics involved in the illegal wildlife trade in Southeast Asia. This role is part of a collaborative effort between UNODC and the Government of Canada, aimed at exploring the roles women play in both facilitating and preventing wildlife crime. The consultant will be responsible for developing a comprehensive methodology for fieldwork, training field consultants, and analyzing data collected during the research. The work will involve a desk review of existing literature, the creation of data collection tools, and the consolidation of findings into a final report that contextualizes the results within the broader literature on gender and wildlife trafficking. The consultant will work remotely but will also travel to field sites in Southeast Asia, including potential locations such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, with the exact dates to be confirmed.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including: conducting a desk review on illegal wildlife trade trends with a focus on gender dynamics; developing a structured methodology and data collection tools for field assessments; training and guiding field consultants in data gathering and analysis; troubleshooting research issues in the field; supporting the final analysis of collected data; and consolidating reports from field consultants into a comprehensive final report. The consultant will ensure that the final report is accessible and suitable for presentation to donors as a baseline study of women's involvement in illegal wildlife trade in Southeast Asia.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in sociology, geography, criminology, or a related social science or conservation-related discipline. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in similar fields combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible work experience in environmental issues, illegal wildlife trade, and/or climate change, including both quantitative and qualitative research, is required. Extensive knowledge of gender issues and their relationship with wildlife conservation and climate change is essential. Experience conducting research in developing countries is also required, along with a preference for candidates with fieldwork experience in the Asia-Pacific region and a strong background in writing analytical reports for publication.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as sociology, geography, criminology, or a related social science or conservation-related discipline. Candidates with a first-level university degree in similar fields may be considered if they have additional qualifying experience, specifically two years of relevant work experience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience that demonstrates progressively responsible roles in environmental issues, illegal wildlife trade, and/or climate change. Candidates should have experience in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, as well as a strong understanding of gender dynamics in relation to wildlife conservation. Experience working in developing countries and conducting fieldwork in the Asia-Pacific region is highly desirable, as is experience in writing analytical reports for publication.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory for this position, as English is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another United Nations official language, such as French, is considered an advantage and may enhance a candidate's suitability for the role.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based with travel to field sites in Southeast Asia, and the expected duration of the consultancy is from April 7, 2025, to December 31, 202

• The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. It is important for applicants to be aware that the United Nations does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.